Subsurface earth formation treating tool



June 29, 1965 M. w. HAlNl-:s

SUBSURFACE EARTH FORMATION TREATING TOOL Original Filed Nov. 30, 1953INVENTOR 114.42605 W HAM/Es,

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United States Patent() This application is a division 'of application,Serial No. 394,928, led November 30, 1953, now Patent No. 3,012,- 611,granted December 12, 1961.

This invention has for 'an `object thereofthe provision of a well toolwhich is adapted to be anchored to the casing of a well and operated ina highly efcient manner to perform useful Work in the open formationbelow the casing.

Accordingly, a well tool embodying this invention includes meansoperable responsive to such relative movement for acidizing or otherwisetreating the open formation.

Thus, the accompanying drawings and specification illustrate anddescribe -as embodiments of this invention, an acidizing tool operablewithout the use of packers for forming dra-in holes in the openformation of a well. This acidizing tool is illustrative of the use ofthe novel tool embodying the present invention for performing usefulwork in the open formation below the casing other than the setting andreleasing of packers as shown Vand claimed in my above identifiedpatent, as well as in my co-pending companion application, Serial No.102,330, tiled February 14, 1961.

A further object of this invention is` the provision in tools such asdescribed, of anchoring means which anchors one member` -of the tool tothe well casing on the initial downward movement of the run-in stringand maintains this member -anchored in the casing upon continueddownward movement ofthe string and a second tool member connected withthe string, whereby portions of said members will coact upon suchcontinued downward movement -to operate tool elements for performinguseful work in the formation below the casing.

The present invention contemplates the provision, among other featureswhich will hereinafter be described or become apparent to those skilledin the art, of an assembly including independently operated slip and eX-pander means for securing the tool in a well casing and operating meansfor the acidizing or other fluid injection tool, hereinafter referred tosimply as an acidizing tool, combined with independent supportingstructures and independent lock mechanisms for releasably locking theslips `to the mandrel or 4body and for locking the acidizing tool to themandrel -or body, whereby the device may be `secured in a Wellindependently of whether the acidizing tool is to be set or not set.

This invention possesses many yother advantages and has other objectswhich maybe made more easily apparent from a consideration of theembodiment of theV invention as shown in the accompanying drawing. Thisembodiment will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is t-o be understood that thisdetailed description is not Ito be taken in ja limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, of.the tool .of this invention as it would appear when .in use;

FIG. 2 is a View similar to FIG. 1, showing only the r'ce lower end ofthe tool on an enlarged scale, and with the tacidizing nozzle retracted;

FIG. 3 is `a cross section-al View taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2; andFIG. 4 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

'Irhe illustrative embodiment lof the invention as shown constitutes atool, which, without the use of packers, may be advantageously used toinject fluid under pressure into the 'open formation below the casing towhich latter the tool is `anchored in the same manner |as in thepreviously described tools. This modied tool is particularly adapted foracidizing limestone and `other formations where acidizing may bedesired. It provides a flexible tube which is adapted to be projectedfrom the tool laterally into the formation, while discharging liuidunder pressure, responsive to relative movement between `members of the1tool as effected by manipulation of the tubing string in the samemanner `as in operating the packers in the previously described toolshereof. This iieX-ible discharge tube is progressively moved laterallyinto ythe formation ias the acid dissolves or eats a path therefor. Withthis arrangement the tool may be operated to provide .a series oflateral drain holes opening into the well bore for draining oil into thelatter. The rate Iof lateral progression of the flexible discharge tubeinto the formation is determined by rate of penetration action of theacid and the rate of movement of the string and the member of the toolconnecting the flexible tube with the string, while the other member ofthe tool is anchored to the easing. As the acid is Ipumped down thestring the action of the pump (back pressure) will enable the operatorvat the .top of the well to properly govern 'the lowering of the tubingstring best to form the lateral drain holes in the formation.

Referring more lspecifically -to the tool as illustrated, it is Iseenthat it includes a pair of telescopically connected inner and outertubular members 215 and 216. The inner member 215 comprises an uppersection 215:1 and .a lower section 215i) joined 'by means of a coupling215e. The upper section 215:1 is adapted to be connected at its upperend to a -tubing string 218 by means of a coupling member 219corresponding to the coupling 3 in the first described form of 4thisinvention, whereby the tubing string may be rotated -relative to theupper section 215a. The outer tool member 216 includes an upper section21611 joined to a lower section 216b by means of a rotative coupling216e.

Mounted on the outer member 216 are the J-lock sleeves 220 and 221, theslip expander 222, the slips 223, thelinks 224 connecting the :sl-ipswith the lsleeve 221 through a rotative coupling 225, .and the dragsprings 226 carried by the sleeve 221. The coupling member 219, isprovided with a I -lock pin 227 operable in the .l-slot 228 in thesleeve 220, whereas the member 216 is provided with ya J-lock pin 229operable in the I-slot 230 in the sleeve 22-1. These ltwo I-locks are-operated responsive Ato rotation of the `string 21S. This is to saythat the pin y227 lin' I-slot 228 constitutes la releasablemeans'interconnecting the members 2.15 and 216 for joint -axial movementwithinv the well casing or Vwell bore and releasable to allow axialmovement of the member 215 'Within the member 216; while the pin 229 inJ-slot 230 constitutes releasable means interconnecting the member 216and the sleeve 221 on which the drag ysprings 226 are carried, andreleasable to allow joint axial movement of the members 215 Yand 216relative to the sleeve 221, whereby the slips 223 wh-ich constituteanchor means will be expanded into `anchoring engagement with the wellcasing.

The slips 223 are operatedrto anch-or the member 216 to the casing bythe weight of the member 216 and parts thereon, upon the initialdownward movement of the string 218 after release of the two J-locks.This anchoring of the member 216 is effected so that portions of themembers 215 and 216 will be disposed in the open formation below thecasing, whereby upon relative movement between these portions the toolmay be operated.

As a means for introducing fluid under pressure, for example acid, sothat it will penetrate limestone and other formations where it is-desired to open oil bearing zones by means of drain holes, an elongatedflexible discharge tube 232 is provided in the lower portion of theouter tool member 216. This discharge tube may be made of -syntheticrubber or other suitable flexible material Iand isconnected at its upperend by means of a suitable coupling 233 with the lower end of the lowersection 215b `of the inner and axially movable tool member 215. A guidetube 234 mounted in the member 216 is constructed and arranged to guidethe exible tube 232 so that it will extend laterally `from member 216into the formation when the tubing string and member 215 are loweredrelative to the section 216. Accordingly, this guide tube is welded orotherwise secured at its upper end to a bushing 235 welded within thebore of the member 216.` The lower section 215b is slid'able in thisbushing and the upper end'of the guide tube responsive to lowering andraising of the tubing string, there being a suitable packing gland 235in the bushing.

To provide for free movement of the flexible tube 232 without binding,the guide tube 234 is curved as at 234a on a large radius adjacentV thedischarge end thereof. This discharge end is extended substantiallyhorizontally into an opening 237 in the side of the outer member 216whereby the iiexible tube may be projected laterally into the openformation. An annular boss 238 is formed on the exterior of the member216 around the opening 237 so as to receive in the bore thereof thedischarge end ot the guide tube 234, this end being secured to the bossas by being welded thereto. A nozzle 239 formed of metal or yothersuitable hard material is fixed on the discharge end of` the exible tube232 and is retracted into the bore of the boss when not in use, the bossthereby protecting the nozzle in the axial movement of the tool in thewell bore.

In order that the guide tube 234 may be curbed on a large radius, theouter or anchored member 216 of the tool is slotted as at 240 so that aportion 234b of the tool may be projected therethrough; this portionbeing welded yas at 241 and 242 to the member 216. An additional supportmay be provided intermediate the ends of the guide tube in the form ofan annular ring 242' welded to the tube and disposed in the member 216so as to maintain the upper part of the tube centered in the member 216.

The lower end of the outer member 216 is provided with drain openings243 for uid which enters the member 216 below the bushing 235. Similardrain openings 244 are provided above the bushing 235 for fluid whichenters the member 216 above the bushing 235.

It should be noted that the protruding portion 234b of the guide tube234 and the boss 238 have a substantially equal lateral extent from theexterior of the member 216 whereby the tool will be centered in the wellbore.

When this tool is lowered into the well bore, the flexible tube 232 isin the retracted position shown in FIG. 2, being so held by the twoJ-locks which include the sleeves 220 and 221 and associated pins 227and 229 respectively. These I -locks hold the inner and outer members215 and 216 against relative axial movement as well as maintain theslips 223 retracted in the same manner as in the previously describedforms of the invention.

When it is-determined by the usual method that the tool is in thedesired position in the well bore with the lower ends of the members 215and 216 disposed in the open yformation below the casing, the operatorrotates and then lowers the tubing string to release the I-locks andcause the slips to set and anchor the outer member 216 `to the casing.This setting of the slips is effected so that the member 216 will beanchored before the lower ends of the members 215 and 216 Contact thebottom of the bore hole.

The working fluid, such for example as a suitable acid, is now pumpeddown the tubing string `to scavenge the well uid from the string throughthe tube 232 and nozzle 239 into the casing. Whenthis scavengingoperation is completed, the tubing string is lowered slowly whereby theinner member 215 will be lowered and cause the flexible tube 232 to beforced downwardly so that the nozzle 239 will be moved into intimatecontact with the open formation. The pumping of acid to the tool iscontinued and it is apparent that continued lowering of the string willcause the nozzle 239 to progressively penetrate the formation as theacid discharged from the nozzle eats into the formation as indicated inFIG. 17.

With the acid flow regulated for a constant rate of discharge from thenozzle 239, the proper rate of advance of the nozzle and exible tubeinto the formation may be determined by the back pressure as noted bypumping pressure variations =at the top of the well. Care should beexercised to avoid a too rapid projection of the flexible tube toprevent distortion of the flexible tube and the consequent formation ofan improperly sloping drain hole or cavity in the formation.

It will now be apparent that by lowering the tubing string slowly, theexible tube 232 and nozzle 239 may be advanced as the hole is formed bythe acid discharging into the formation from the nozzle, whereby aneffective drain hole leading from the desired depth in the formation tothe well bore, may be quickly and easily produced.

After one such hole is formed the exible tube 232 and nozzle 239 may beretracted within the guide tube as shown in FIG. 18 by lifting thetubing string and the member 215 connected therewith. This raising ofthe string and member 215 sutliciently to retract the flexible tube 232does not release the slips which therefore hold the outer member 216anchored to the casing `during the retraction of the exible tube.

Continued lifting of the tubing string will cause the coupling member215C to engage the shoulder 246 on the outer member 216, thereby liftingthe member 216 and the slip expander 222 on the member 216, so that theslips will be released. After releasing the slips, the tubing string isrotated to lock the pins 227 and 229 in the slots therefor in thesleeves 220 and 221 whereby the members 215 and 216 are locked againstrelative movement. The tool may now be repositioned in the well andagain operated to make another drain hole in the open formation, itbeing possible to make as many holes as desired with the tool, with onerun of the tool into the well bore.

I claim:

1. A well tool including: a pair of elongated tubular members connectedfor relative axial movement; one of w said members being adapted forconnection with a tubing string for axial movement therewith in a well;anchor means operatively connected with the other of said members foranchoring the other of said members to the casing of the well responsiveto joint axial movement of said members relative to said anchor means;irst releasable means interconnecting said anchor means with said othermember and releasable to allow joint axial movement of said membersrelative to said anchor means; second releasable means interconnectingsaid members for joint axial movement of said members and releasable toallow axial movement of said one member relative to said other member;and means for introducing fluid under pressure into the open formationbelow the well casing including a flexible tubular member connected withsaid one member for axial movement therewith; and a guide tube xed tosaid other member; said guide tube having one end extended laterallyinto an opening on one side of said other member; said flexible tubularmember being slidable through said guide tube so as to project therefrominto the open formation responsive to lowering of said string and saidone member.

2. A well tool including: a pair of elongated tubular members connectedfor relative axial movement; one of said members being adapted forconnection with a tubing string for axial movement therewith in a well;anchor means operatively connected with the other of said members foranchoring the other of said members to the casing of the well responsiveto lowering of said string and said members relative to said anchormeans; first releasable means interconnecting said anchor means withsaid other member and releasable to allow joint downward movement ofsaid members relative to said anchor means; second releasable meansinterconnecting said members for joint downward movement of said membersand releasable to allow downward movement of said one member relative tosaid other member; and means for introducing Huid under pressure intothe open formation below the casing including a tubular member connectedat one end with said other member for axial movement therewith; andmeans on said other member for guiding said last named tubular member tocause the other end thereof to be extended into and out of the openformation responsive to lowering and raising of said string and said onemember while said other member is anchored to the casing.

3. A well tool including: a pair of elongated tubular members connectedfor relative axial movement; one of said members being adapted forconnection with a tubing string for axial movement therewith in a well;anchor means operatively connected with the other of said members foranchoring the other of said members to the casing of the well responsiveto joint axial movement of said members relative to said anchor means;lirst releasable means interconnecting said anchor means with said othermember and releasable to allow joint axial movement of said membersrelative to said anchor means; second releasable means interconnectingsaid members for joint axial movement of said members and releasable toallow axial movement of said one member relative to said other member;and means for introducing uid under pressure into the open formationbelow the well casing including a exible tubular member connected withsaid one member for axial movement therewith; and a guide tube xedwithin said other member with one end opening through a side of saidother member; said guide tube being curved adjacent said one end thereofand slidably mounting said exible tubular member for movement into andout of the open formation responsive to lowering and 5 raising of saidstring and said one member.

4. A well tool including: a pair of elongated tubular members connectedfor relative axial movement; one of said members being adapted forconnection with a tubing string for axial movement therewith in a well;anchor means operatively connected with said members for anchoring theother of said members to the casing of the well responsive to loweringof said string and said members relative to said .anchor means; tirstreleasable means interconnecting said anchor means with said othermember and releasable to allow joint downward movementof said membersrelative to said anchor means; second releasable means interconnectingsaid members for joint downward movement of said members and releasableto allow downward movement of said one member relative to said othermember; and means for introducing fluid under pressure into the openformation below the casing including a tubular member connected at oneend with said other member for axial movement therewith; means on saidother member for guiding said last named tubular member to cause theother end thereof to be extended into and out of the open formationresponsive to lowering and raising of said string and said one memberwhile said other member is anchored to the casing; a nozzle in saidother end of said last named tubular member; and an annular boss on saidother member through which said nozzle is extensible and retractibleupon said lowering and raising of said one member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,156,939 5/ 39Fulkerson 166-140 2,258,001 10/ 41 Chamberlain 175-422 2,285,024 6/ 42Ferguson 175-77 2,399,125 4/46 Lehnhard 166-147 2,404,876 7/ 46 Granger166-147 2,45 6,331 12/ 48 Sewell 175-77 2,5 39,047 1/51 Arutunolf 175-782,699,920 1/ 55 Zublin 175-81 BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, BENJAMIN BENDETT,

Examiners.

1. A WELL TOOL INCLUDING: A PAIR OF ELONGATED TUBULAR MEMBERS CONNECTEDFOR RELATIVE AXIAL MOVEMENT; ONE OF SAID MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED FORCONNECTION WITH A TUBING STRING FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT THEREWITH IN A WELL;ANCHOR MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS FORANCHORING THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS TO THE CASING OF THE WELL RESPONSIVETO JOINT AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBERS RELATIVE TO SAID ANCHOR MEANS;FIRST RELEASABLE MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID ANCHOR MEANS WITH SAID OTHERMEMBER AND RELEASABLE TO ALLOW JOINT AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBERSRELATIVE TO SAID ANCHOR MEANS; SECOND RELEASABLE MEANS INTERCONNECTINGSAID MEMBERS FOR JOINT AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBERS AND RELEASABLE TOALLOW AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ONE MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID OTHER MEMBER;AND MEANS FOR INTRODUCING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE INTO THE OPEN FORMATIONBELOW THE WELL CASING INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE TUBULAR MEMBER CONNECTED WITHSAID ONE MEMBER FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT THEREWITH; AND A GUIDE TUBE FIXED TOSAID OTHER MEMBER; SAID GUIDE TUBE HAVING ONE END EXTENDED LATERALLYINTO AN OPENING ON ONE SIDE OF SAID OTHER MEMBER; SAID FLEXIBLE TUBULARMEMBER BEING SLIDABLE THROUGH SAID GUIDE TUBE SO AS TO PROJECT THEREFROMINTO THE OPEN FORMATION RESPONSIVE TO LOWERING OF SAID STRING AND SAIDCAM MEMBER.